Travel Trailer question RE: Axle flip

[Sooner]

Just bought a real nice 84 Terry trailer. 24 ft. With these old trailers & the walking beam suspension they sit pretty low. Had a look underneath and the axles are straight, no arc. Is there any reason i can't or shouldn't demount the axles from the inside of the springs and re bolt them up under the spring to get about 3 inches of lift? which would make a big difference. New u bolts and nuts are a must of course. Looks like a simple flip. I had it done it on my old single axle travel trailer and it helped keep the trailer level with the old 1 ton and of course going onto uneven roads and camp stalls.


Thanks

[reelhooker]

No reason not to do it. I did and it's nice having the extra clearance. Just remember that the last step gets a little higher for entering/exiting.

[turbo mulcher]

Are your tires wearing ok? Axles/ tires are aligned by bending the axle. I would by new spring pads and weld them above the originals and have it aligned. Done a few like this.

[Snort]

I would think that there is or should have been an arc to the axles but maybe very slight. Aside from that, I don't believe that the brake mechanisms are designed to work upside down.

[CBintheNorth]

I would think that there is or should have been an arc to the axles but maybe very slight. Aside from that, I don't believe that the brake mechanisms are designed to work upside down.

^^^^^This.
I have never seen an axle without arc. You may have to take the weight off and run a full length straight edge to see it.
I flipped the axle on a tent trailer that I could have sworn was straight and made it 3 hrs on a brand new set of tires before they were completely bald.
Took the axle into Mccoys and they re arced it for I think $100.
I also have doubts about the brake drums working this way as the pads would be oriented wrong if they are in fact two different sizes.

[beltburner]

figure out what your axels are. there is most likely a kit to flip them. just make sure they go back the way they came out and it'll be no problem

[Sooner]

Thanks for the tips, my old single axle brakes worked great after the flip, would lock up the wheels on a gravel road if you turned up the controller. I am checking bearings tomorrow and the trailer will be on jack stands so i will re check the arc. It has almost new tires, I don't need to wear them out. At this point i don't think it has been pulled enough by the previous owner to show any wear on the tires. I deal with a lot of frame shops such as the old Mcoys. I will ask someone i know about the brakes.

Thanks again

[dumoulin]

If you do it, don't forget to install new stairs.

[fatboyz]

I took mine in to the local spring and alignment shop. They cut off the old ppads and welded on new ones on the other sidr for 100 bucks. I then rebolted them on. I built a new 2 step wooden stair so I could easilly get in and out.

[Highlander44]

Don't mess around and take it to Standen Springs.... they know the facts, are reasonable, and won't steer you wrong. used them many times and have always had good service.

[winmag]

springs under axle , disconnect brake wires, unbolt u bolts and flip axle so spring mount is up , next turn axle 180 to keep the toe in[ left wheel is now on right side] the brake wires are still at top and would have to be reconnected if you don't do a 180 you will be toed out and will scrub tires off first trip ,just mark everything , leave trailer hooked up to truck for support, you can wind down the trailer jacks also , jack up one axle at a time and remove tires and do the flip ,finish and then do the second . Try to work smart so nobody gets hurt and the brakes will work fine too , i have done this on five trailers not a problem :)